The World at Her Feet

[Scott Cooper]

Scott just grinned at Kelle, yeah he wasnt big on making an issue out of wounds as usually if he had anything it was just a scratch. No one else would know, unless he was talking to a medic and then his plan was bust from the start. “Oh my leg is good so no worries there besides it’s just a scratch. Kind of a strange one but maybe a little deep for a scratch.” He said thoughtfully though as he watched her examine the wound.

Hospitals asked too many questions, half the scars that covered him were because hospitals or doctors weren’t really an option for him. Case and point the reason he had kidnapped her was because he needed a medic for a guy he couldnt let go. Scott listened to her talk about how she wasnt a shrinking violet, nope he had seen as much today by the state of the guy who had her earlier.

“Kelle, this is my life. Those guys are just a small part of it, there might be worse around the corner I can’t make the guarantee that there wont be.” Scott said not sure why she was still there and not running screaming for the nearest police station. Part of the package, did she even know what she was singing up for. A mafia, it wasnt pretty or legal or really anything he wanted her to be a part of though her kiss to his lips said everything he needed to know.

“Kelle.” He murmured against her lips as he kissed her back with as much passion and aggression he would allow himself. His arms wrapped around her protectively as he wished he could have changed things or even things in Chicago so she wouldnt have to have been in the position where hitting a guy with a rock was a thing she needed to do.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Any reply she may have had was cut short by his kiss. She could feel the restraint and almost pushed him, but she recognized it as a sign of respect, and she knew this wasn't the time. There was enough unspoken between them and the way he held back told her anything else she might need to know.

"I kinda knew that night you told me," she admitted when she could breathe again, "it was something I thought about, part of the package -- that you'd have enemies, pretty scary ones, but in the end I knew I didn't care, we can deal with it." Tonight, to a degree, was proof.

There were other things, actually, she didn't want to ponder on just yet, until there was more solid reason to, like...wasn't he pretty wealthy? How would that change her life, not having to work or struggle or have a house that was falling apart around your ears, but you still loved it anyway? But then, that wasn't anything peculiar to them.

"We'll just have to be vigilant and prepared, that's all. Or you can just change your name and we could move to Montana!"

She laughed at that, then sighed and rested against him, enjoying just being held, and feeling so right in his arms. But after a moment, she muttered, "We need to get out of here..."

There would be time later, when they were safer, to mull over everything, she was sure.

[Scott Cooper]

Scott listened to her when she spoke about the night he had told her, yeah the night he hadn’t slept because it had been so fantastic to be a world away from the person he was. A world away from what he knew to be true about himself and the same night he thought he had managed to ruin something he had hoped to keep. Yeah he wasnt about to forget that night for all the good and then all the bad that came with it.

“Kelle, my enemies are... are you even sure you can deal with this because tonight? This was small and there might come a time when walking away and not hurting them isn’t an option.” Scott said deciding it was only fair that she knew what she was getting into, he didnt normally walk away from something like that nor did he find it in his heart to actually leave them breathing.

He had a job to do and if it wasnt him it would be another member of the mafia that took care of it but where was the good in being the boss that didnt do the grunt work too. Maybe he wouldnt use that analogy on her but it pretty much summed him up, he didnt ask anyone else to do something he wouldnt do himself. Legal or not that line had blurred for him a long time ago.

“You know Montana sounds like a good plan.” He said with a grin though he wasnt even sure Montana would hide him from what he had done. Scott nodded when she said they needed to get out of there, as much as he wanted to disagree with her and make things right hanging around for a second wave wasnt exactly a good plan. “You’re right, how about we are a bit more spontaneous for tonight?” He offered, “How about we take what we have and we go and find another place to camp for the night, wild camping. It might not be the castle but I’m sure we can find you another one for tomorrow?” He offered smiling.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"I think it might be smart to give up on castles for lodging," Kelle commented with a grin as she reluctantly stood, them gingerly brushed dirt from her jeans, mindful of her skinned-up hands. "I mean, so far we haven't had much luck with that." Her tone was teasing more than anything and held no bitterness. Things were 'what they were', and while it wasn't right to blame castles for their woes, it might be wise to change tactics!

"Wild camping sounds good, anyway. Maybe in a stone circle, and we'll magically end up four-hundred years in the past!" Laughing, she started clearing out the gear they'd already put in the tent, retrieving her bra that had been dropped in the fray. "You know, I really would like to see you in this!"

Well, if there was any good in all of this, it was that it showed that they could weather some pretty major issues and still come out laughing. Still, that didn't mean there wouldn't have to be a serious heart-to-heart, where she laid out everything before they got in too deep (well, she already was that). She hadn't expected to feel this way about him, and she had things that she wanted clear, regardless of who the man was that was sneaking his way past her shields.

OOC: If you like, you can move us on to the next spot!

[Scott Cooper]

Kelle had a point, as far as camping went with another person. It had gone pretty much disastrously but then again she was still there so he couldnt really complain about how things were going at all. Hearing her teasing he smiled though he had wanted her to see the sights it probably wasnt a good idea to continue in that until he had a few things straightened out. Namely someone on a plane to clean up whatever mess was on his back right now.

“You want to go four hundred years into the past?” Scott asked her grinning as he saw her laughing seeing the bra she that had been dropped. Oh yeah he forgot he had said that was his, a little not his colour but then again stranger things and all. “Oh you would, would you? It could be arrange besides I’d so rock that outfit.” He added grinning at her. Well at least they could joke about it as he packed up their things. Sure it was a serious thing that had happened but then that was his life, then again usually he wasnt so nice about it and he was still debating going back and finishing what had been started.

Still Scott walked away from it, he made sure they changed cars at least three times. A pain for sure but then it was needed and required. Followed by a train getting off just before their desired stop and then a taxi to their new destination. A pinpoint on a map, a two hour around about way of getting to the middle of nowhere. A hill and a decent place to calm as he made sure to take their things before heading off in the opposite direction to where he had pointed when the taxi was there.

You couldnt be too careful and it wasnt like he had a lot of patience with a second round of evil people. No he knew what he was capable of and second time around, he doubted there would be much stopping him as he started to set out their things. “How about this place?” He asked her motioning to the bare bones of a structure. It was likely an old barn at some point, it had two half crumbled walls that would provide protection from any weather that would head their way and protection for not being seen too easily either. “It’s not a castle but it’s old by maybe a hundred years or so?” He offered smiling.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

By this point Kelle was so tired that she didn't much care, although she understood the need for the round-about route. Heck, the more convoluted it was, the better the chances that they wouldn't be accosted again, and that suited her just fine.

"Looks great!" She grinned, then actually laughed, a combination of fatigue, nerves and the sheer absurdity of everything. But really, it met the criteria -- it was isolated, old and had some sort of history.

"Won't need to set up the tent," she observed, "that'll save time." At this point, she just wanted to curl up and sleep, and all they really had to do was toss out the sleeping bags and pillows. And maybe a warming fire, but that was a risk with all the dry wood.

"And look at the stars..." Smiling, she looked overhead, then shrugged. "We can see those, too, while we go to sleep."

It really was pretty, as much as she could tell in the dark, and that was what she really wanted -- to be away from the light and chaos of the city, and she understood the effort that he was putting in just for her, to make her happy and keep her safe.

Slowly, she started pulling out what they would need for the night, taking the time to rummage for a bag of marshmallows...she was getting hungry. "Got sleeping bags, and these." She held up the bag with a grin. "And dessert!"

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Hearing her laugh Scott wasnt sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing right then. All he could think of what that it seemed like a good spot, a place that had both cover and shelter and no one could see them there at all. “Sure it will but we can if you’re more comfortable that way?” Scott offered not wanting to put her off at all but then again it did save time and it wasnt like he couldnt see she was tired.

After all it wasnt every day you got dragged around a countryside trying to avoid being found. “Yes we can I know how you love your stars.” Scott added remembering asking her about them the previous night before everything sort of went a little wrong. Scott had tried to find what she liked to do and camping seemed to suit, especially under the stars. It wasnt like he could get her the castle again tonight but maybe tomorrow he thought.

Another castle or a ruin they could go to. A place that was far enough out of the way that people wouldnt be an issue at all. Scott help put out the things they would need for the night as he watched her rummage for the marshmallows as he laughed. “Oh dessert, you read my mind.” He said with a grin as set out the things for them. He pulled out a blanket for Kelle as he smiled. “Here in case you get cold and take a seat. You don’t have to do any work tonight at all, just sit back and enjoy the rest of the evening.” Scott said not entirely sure of the time but then he didnt want her over doing anything.

No he was there to make sure she was okay and having a restful holiday. He knew it hadn’t been that exactly but then how much more could go wrong. It wasnt like he could kidnap her twice could he? He was trying to make up for that mistake in the first place.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"You, too," Kelle insisted, taking the blanket, then using it to fashion a sort of a nest from her sleeping bag and blanket before grabbing his bag as well and arranging it beside hers -- a sort of unspoken statement, be close but not that close...yet...

"We can just use the flashlight for now," she added, "and worry about everything else in the morning."

Really, there wasn't much more to do besides sleep, except maybe for munching marshmallows, and that was something they could do in 'bed'.

"Besides, you're hurt worse than me, and you'd better not get gangrene or anything after all this!"" Sticking her tongue out at him, she pushed off her shoes then maneuvered out of her bra without taking off her sweatshirt before snuggling down into the sleeping bag and fluffing her pillow.

"Come on, now, lay down and let's just have dessert."

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott watched Kelle make up his sleeping back beside hers, he hadn’t expected her to do that. If anything he figured she might have thrown it half way across the clearing just so she didnt have to sleep with one eye open. It wasnt like he would hurt her but then he had done that a few times already and those guys from before hadn’t exactly made it easier to ask her to trust him.

“Sure that works for me or you don’t have to worry about anything at all because I’ll take care of it.” Scott offered not wanting her to have to think about much of anything. It was supposed to be a relaxing holiday for her, it wasnt turning out that way either with him trying to be honest and people interrupting what he hoped to be a better night.

“What this? Meh just a scratch, I’ve lived with worse wounds on me and gangrene hasn’t gotten to me yet.” He said with a grin before wondering just how truthful he should be. He chuckled when she stuck her tongue out at him. Scott stared confused for a moment when she managed to get out of her bra without taking off her sweatshirt, yeah women he would never understand. They were magicians of another kind.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” Scott asked her as he got into the sleeping back next to hers. Shuffling slightly to get comfortable but then this was what he was used to, a soft bed and a warm house could make him feel a lot less comfortable than being out under the stars. Then again at least a house he could probably defend a little better than a castle ruin but still he had only told himself not to kill someone.

He could take that back he thought but then ruin what he had with Kelle or hoped to he still wasnt too sure on that one. Could anyone like a serial killer or just a mass murderer, or hit man for hire or mafia boss. He wasnt entirely sure what category he fitted into or if he was just a mass of them all in some strange way. Go figure he would be the one trying not to do what he did so well. It would be like asking Kelle to save someone and her trying her best to do the worst job possible. This was a holiday that was all kinds of turned on its head.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Okay with it?"

Well, the fact that he even asked was just another point in his favor...that he had thought she might be uncomfortable with him and was willing to do what she wanted.

"Sure...why not?" She grinned, then added teasingly, "I mean, if anyone comes looking, they'll find you first and I can make my get away while they're dealing with you!"

Chuckling, she kicked off her shoes then shimmied into her sleeping bag, muttering soflty, "Besides, I want you here..."

Maybe he was poison for her, she didn't really know, but she'd never felt like this about anyone, and she was sure in her heart that there was nothing like 'Stockholm Syndrome' or any weird thing like that going on. No, this was purely the man sitting beside her right now, and she intended to get to know him better, despite the 'other' side of him, a side she was confident would never be directed at her.

"So, do you know any good bedtime stories?"

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott waited for the screaming when she said okay with it. There was a lot not to be okay with and right then he was waiting for the reaction to about every single thing that wasnt okay about the situation. Then when he saw her grin and heard her teasing, maybe things had hope he wondered trying not to see the down side first as he allowed himself to grin back at her.

“Well you know since it’s you I’d happily stand in the way to let you escape from whoever it was.” Scott said grinning as he stared at her for a moment. Did she just say she wanted him there, well that was a first he thought not quite sure what to do exactly. Well for the first person to actually say they wanted him there, he was a little stunned as he grinned settling into his sleeping bag.

“Bedtime stories, it depends on your preferences... are you more ninjas and car chases or princesses and castles? Or aliens.” He asked her grinning, “Kind of depends on how terrified you want to be before you sleep.” Scott knew a few stories, or rather he knew a lot of stories about a lot of things but then reciting how he had managed to sneak into a place assassinate someone and get out alive. He didnt think it was the kind of bedtime story she was after.

Then again it was probably the exact reason he didnt have kids, because bedtime stories he was sure he could terrify people with and that was just the adults. But sure he did have a few nicer stories that he could mix together, after all it wasnt like he wasnt human at all. He had to be at some point even if he was sure most of his humanity had gone a long time ago.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Hopefully, there won't be any need to escape." Kelle grinned lazily, her eyes blinking away sleep. It had been a long night already, and while the attack had left her only a little unsettled, it was the surge of adrenaline, or rather, the after-effects of that surge, that was catching up to her.

Soft bed, beautiful setting, feeling secure...yeah, it was time to sleep!

"A happy story," Kelle muttered idly, fatigue starting to overtake her, "about a little girl who falls in love with a man but finds out he's a beast, only she still..."

The words faded and trailed off, and then stopped altogether, replaced by soft, even breathing...

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

“Fingers crossed.” Scott said smiling, he didnt want to have to escape again mostly because he was sure it wasnt exactly instilling confidence in people. Then again that was his life, he killed people, he fixed things, ran a mafia and people were out to get him. It was just as it was and while he was used to that fact and could take care of things he knew that Kelle wasnt really used to that at all.

Scott could draw the parallel lines between the girl who falls in love with a man to find out he was a beast. Was that really what she thought of him, a beast? Well he couldnt really deny that he wasnt a prince or a knight in shining armour. Yeah he wasnt any of that, sure he might have been a knight at one point in life but losing his family had taught him one thing.

Revenge worked and thought it didnt make anything better, he was good and trained to kill. Naturally he wasnt about to get a post office job so he did the natural thing and followed his skill set. Now however with Sharon back, an agreement in place for all cops in Chicago he was sure that the wrong brother had been picked to marry Sharon. After all he was in charge for the time being until the heir to the family business was there and it wasnt going to be his. No the family heir and he had people on that.

Hearing Kelle trail off he smiled as he lay there next to her watching her sleep. He could feel his own eyes closing for a moment, the night before and the current situation taking its toll though Scott didnt mind at all. No he forced himself to stay at awake at least in that light sleep phase if he could just in case he told himself though watching Kelle sleep, it was as relaxing as it go he thought smiling.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

She was asleep almost immediately, exhausted by everything that had happened, not just the attack, but the war in her soul over the man/beast beside her and the moral dilemma he posed, and when she dreamed, it was...well, unpleasant at first, and then he was holding her, cooing to her gently, kind, caring, honorable...

With a start, Kelle woke up, at first disoriented, but not alarmed...no, between camping, travel and her job she'd slept in enough places that it wasn't unusual to have to take a few seconds to figure out where she was, and then she heard the even breathing beside her and smiled.

"You're here," she breathed, barely a whispered, then, realizing she was cold and a light rain had started outside, she snuggled closer to Scott, seeking warmth...seeking him.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Scott had no idea what to think or do and sleep was well inevitable for the time being. He could feel her sleeping near him and that was enough for him, she wasnt screaming that he had kidnapped her. Hating him for doing that the first time and well despite the men that had tried to who knew what, she was still there. Sleeping and seemed happy enough though there was a point where he wasnt going to ask because he was afraid of the answer.

Scott felt something or someone move as his eyes flashed open, he stayed still for a moment before realising that it was Kelle who was awake. He kept his breathing even as tried not to move to disturb her anymore than she was. Scott just smiled hearing her breath that he was there. “No place else I’d rather be.” I whispered back not sure if she would hear him or not.

Feeling her snuggling closer to him Scott wrapped his arm around her, placing another blanket over her gently as he kissed the top of her head lightly.